Just Thought I'd Share This With You

[Pete S]

I don't play records very often at home these days but I'm just going through a box of my old, old favourites and I just played "Rat Race" by The Righteous Brothers Band and I can honestly say it made every hair on my arms stand on end for a good 30 seconds, a kind of OH MY GOD THIS IS FANTASTIC! moment, took me right back to late 1974 when I first heard it at our youth club. That's the effect an instrumental can have on you!

Now where is my copy of Afternoon Of The Rhino...

Edited June 29, 2008 by Pete S

[shute]

The best instrumental I have ever heard has got to be ''Tracks to your Mind'' Sounds of Lane

does it for me everytime

[Guest]

Tune up was played at Oldbury last night filled the floor

[Guest in town Mikey]

First time I heard Condition Red played out loud, it blew me away. I'd love to hear it today and do the hairs on arms test.

[Tony Smith]

With you 100% Pete, Up there with "Thumb A Ride" for me.

[Guest Matt Male]

Put Cochise on the other day, still sounds good to me.

[macca]

what about the first time you heard those opening piano chords to my sugar baby?

[Guest mel brat]

"Rat Race" (along with Clara Ward's fabbo "The Right Direction") remind me of Va-Va's every time I hear 'em.

Far too many great instrumentals (and semi-instrumentals like "Rona's Theme", Third Time Around etc.) to mention 'em all....However I still enjoy hearing;

"Sidra's Theme", "Festival Time", "Psychedelic Soul", "Ton Of Dynamite" just for starters...

...and loads of commercial/modern & funk too like "K-Jee" (Niteliters version), Tradewinds "Strange", Jr. Walker's "Walk In The Night", Timmy Thomas' "Stone To The Bone" etc. etc.

My question is when exactly did playing Soul instrumentals become such a no-no, and why?

[macca]

Damned good question. What about Donald Austin's You Want It You Got It from the Crazy Legs album?

Quite big in 1978, if I remember well.

[Jez Jones]

The best instrumental I have ever heard has got to be ''Tracks to your Mind'' Sounds of Lane

does it for me everytime

Back of the net!!! Been far too long since I've heard that out. Am going to a bit of a coastal shindig next week. I wonder...................

[Guest]

"Rat Race" (along with Clara Ward's fabbo "The Right Direction") remind me of Va-Va's every time I hear 'em.

Far too many great instrumentals (and semi-instrumentals like "Rona's Theme", Third Time Around etc.) to mention 'em all....However I still enjoy hearing;

"Sidra's Theme", "Festival Time", "Psychedelic Soul", "Ton Of Dynamite" just for starters...

...and loads of commercial/modern & funk too like "K-Jee" (Niteliters version), Tradewinds "Strange", Jr. Walker's "Walk In The Night", Timmy Thomas' "Stone To The Bone" etc. etc.

My question is when exactly did playing Soul instrumentals become such a no-no, and why?

A good question , Young Bratmeister ........

A rousing instrumental was , as we all know , always a staple - and essential - part of the / our musical diet , but as to why it has dramatically fallen from grace , and been generally shunned by the scene , is a mystery ........

One of the possible reasons for this absence of this medium , could be the simple fact that there are not enough quality ones to warrant creditable playing , therefore condemming it to the wilderness .......

Alternately , the none playing of instrumentals in dancehalls could have been dictated by the Soul Police , as a result of their finally realising after all these years , that Simon Saucepan's cobbled together abortions were s**t and not the classics they assumed they were , have decreed a strict " out of bounds " policy in order to protect our future well being , stating that under no circumstances will an instrumental will be played , for fear that it may be another " On The Road To Ruin " .........

Malc Burton

Edited June 29, 2008 by Malc Burton

[Epic]

My question is when exactly did playing Soul instrumentals become such a no-no, and why?

When people who played "Police Story" - "Theme From Joe 90" & not forgetting that soulless turd "Interplay" thought it was a good idea.

Why - well just listen to them

Edited June 29, 2008 by epic

[Pete S]

The thread wasn't really about instrumentals, just the reaction to hearing a record that happened to be an instrumental for the first time in years and being taken aback - but now we're on the subject, my favourite instrumentals are, in this order

Bari Track

Exus Trek

Frantic Escape

The Champion

My Little Girl

[Sunnysoul]

For sheer feel good atmosphere .... the greatest ever NS instrumental has to be ...

California Montage : Young Holt Unlimited

[Guest mel brat]

A good question , Young Bratmeister ........

Alternately , the none playing of instrumentals in dancehalls could have been dictated by the Soul Police , as a result of their finally realising after all these years , that Simon Saucepan's cobbled together abortions were s**t and not the classics they assumed they were , have decreed a strict " out of bounds " policy in order to protect our future well being , stating that under no circumstances will an instrumental will be played , for fear that it may be another " On The Road To Ruin " .........

Malc Burton

...as I suspected when I posed the question! However, why the "ban-the-instrumental overkill"? DJs should get off the 'absolutely-unknown-and-very-expensive-rarity' kick ocasionally and let common sense and good taste prevail! I was somewhat heartened however by the recent revival of the Brothers' "Are You Ready For This" and a few other examples which perhaps show that all is not lost!

We're all aware (I hope!) that Soul music is primarily about the depth and expressive emotion of the vocal, but anyone who asserts that 'Soul instrumentals' are an oxymoron should have to explain to Booker T. & the MGs and Jr. Walker et.al. why they apparently wasted their entire careers!

[Davetay]

Damned good question. What about Donald Austin's You Want It You Got It from the Crazy Legs album?

Quite big in 1978, if I remember well.

Played in summer of 1974 at Wigan covered up as the New York Strings.

The orig L. P. is still in demand on the funk scene.

[Davetay]

For sheer feel good atmosphere .... the greatest ever NS instrumental has to be ...

California Montage : Young Holt Unlimited

Memories of the MECCA, still my fav venue of all time.

[Guest mel brat]

Played in summer of 1974 at Wigan covered up as the New York Strings..

Yes, I still have it on tape from C.April 1974! (Nice version actually)

...just thought of another track I used to love, "Brown Sugar" by the Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band on Warner Bros. Great!

Edited June 29, 2008 by mel brat

[BrianB]

My all time favourites are All Turned On and Sliced Tomatoes.

Detroit magic and the 2 best instrumentals of all time, IMO of course.

Brian B

[Pete S]

My all time favourites are All Turned On and Sliced Tomatoes.

Detroit magic and the 2 best instrumentals of all time, IMO of course.

Brian B

Have suffered from over-exposure to Sliced Tomatoes for years but I agree about All Turned On, awesome record

[Pete S]

Someone mentioned Police Story, and yes, that's rubbish, but another tv theme is absolutely brilliant and goodness me it took me over 25 years to get a copy, and after I sold that, another decade to find another... Bob's Band - Locke's Theme - Atco... doesn't have the soul content of something like Bari Track but it's a brilliant tune

[Davetay]

Yes, I still have it on tape from C.April 1974! (Nice version actually)

...just thought of another track I used to love, "Brown Sugar" by the Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band on Warner Bros. Great!

Talkin of tapes from Wigan, got one Nov 1973 with above track on.

Plus inst,s. from Mike Post, Memphis Horns, Markettes and Mr Bloe.

[Davetay]

Someone mentioned Police Story, and yes, that's rubbish, but another tv theme is absolutely brilliant and goodness me it took me over 25 years to get a copy, and after I sold that, another decade to find another... Bob's Band - Locke's Theme - Atco... doesn't have the soul content of something like Bari Track but it's a brilliant tune

Got to addmit to not knowing Bob,s Band, was it covered up, when was it played?

Doni Burdick is no. 2 on my list, Earl Wright my no. 1

[Wiganer1]

Got to addmit to not knowing Bob,s Band, was it covered up, when was it played?

=======

russ winstanley circa 1978....

got my mint Atco copy safely tucked away..

[Pete S]

=======

russ winstanley circa 1978....

got my mint Atco copy safely tucked away..

Good job I found that bloke who'd got the issues on ebay eh?

[Guest]

Anyone who has a copy of Issac Heyes "Shaft"......the flip, the Jazz tinged "Cafe Regio`s" is an awesome tune!

Turn Rat Race over Pete and listen to a brill version of Green Onions!

Bari Track (Rose Batiste should have been shot for screeching over this)

Thumb a Ride

Exus Trek

Soul Symphony

K-Jee

Rat Race

Jade East

The manufactured ones are not worth a toss and never were IMO, anyone remember the Crossroads theme being played at 78 RPM?

There are lots of great instrumentals which should have no stigma attached to playing them.

[Pete S]

Turn Rat Race over Pete and listen to a brill version of Green Onions!

Have listened to it many times over the years Steve...fabulous version

[Wiganer1]

Good job I found that bloke who'd got the issues on ebay eh?

===

u betcha pete !!

u still got yours ??

i know where there is another copy!

[Davetay]

=======

russ winstanley circa 1978....

got my mint Atco copy safely tucked away..

Cheers for that, i did not do wigan much between 76/79. I only went when i had records to pick up or records to sell.

My fav. times where the 1st 2/3 years and the last 2 years. (Sat nights only did not do oldies night)

[Pete S]

===

u betcha pete !!

u still got yours ??

i know where there is another copy!

Yeah still got it mate, I'll post it up in a minute.

I like the fact it's in two separate parts - the long intro then the main theme

[Wiganer1]

Cheers for that, i did not do wigan much between 76/79. I only went when i had records to pick up or records to sell.

My fav. times where the 1st 2/3 years and the last 2 years. (Sat nights only did not do oldies night)

========

only made the last 3 allniters (1st one was the end of an era!)

would love to have been a fly on the wall during that first year!

[Pete S]

========

only made the last 3 allniters (1st one was the end of an era!)

would love to have been a fly on the wall during that first year!

Funny actually, I'm just transferring all of the Wigan tapes onto the computer, didn't realise I had so many from 75, but one thing just shocked me, Searling playing Joe Matthews - Ain't Nothing You Can Do - in 1975! It never went big til 77, in fact don't think I ever heard it til then. He's also playing some terrible 70's record by "The Steppers" any ideas Mark, he plays it twice in one set.

[Wiganer1]

Funny actually, I'm just transferring all of the Wigan tapes onto the computer, didn't realise I had so many from 75, but one thing just shocked me, Searling playing Joe Matthews - Ain't Nothing You Can Do - in 1975! It never went big til 77, in fact don't think I ever heard it til then. He's also playing some terrible 70's record by "The Steppers" any ideas Mark, he plays it twice in one set.

=====

come and get it on US Aware....same tape as montclairs isnt it mate?

[Pete S]

=====

come and get it on US Aware....same tape as montclairs isnt it mate?

Umm not sure, had the sound down for some of it. Just found a tape from 74...have you got that one? No date, just 74. Starts off with Tobi Legend then Carmel Strings then LIving A Lie

[Wiganer1]

Umm not sure, had the sound down for some of it. Just found a tape from 74...have you got that one? No date, just 74. Starts off with Tobi Legend then Carmel Strings then LIving A Lie

=-==

yes thats the classic tape with footsee on it innit

more intererestingly on that one is the mirwood strings - superdance

never heard until that tape...fab atmosphere.

[Pete S]

=-==

yes thats the classic tape with footsee on it innit

more intererestingly on that one is the mirwood strings - superdance

never heard until that tape...fab atmosphere.

Is it, the one with Footsee, Panic, Tainted Love etc? In that case I must have just dubbed the cd of it onto a tape...thought it was a different one

[Epic]

Always liked

Hold On Help Is On The Way - G Davis & R Tyler

Harlem Rumble - Frank Foster

Rhona's Theme - RPM Generation

Fiddlin' Around - Don Renaldo

love the Mirwood instrumentals as well - even if they may be a tad suspect in origin.

[Pete S]

love the Mirwood instrumentals as well - even if they may be a tad suspect in origin.

Absolutely brilliant some of those Mirwood things - well most of them - what about Same Old Thing inst, that was fantastic, I'm Satisfied With You, My Little Girl...they were as good as insts as they were vocal...oh, and to cap it all off, Cigarette Ashes!!!

[Epic]

Absolutely brilliant some of those Mirwood things - well most of them - what about Same Old Thing inst, that was fantastic, I'm Satisfied With You, My Little Girl...they were as good as insts as they were vocal...oh, and to cap it all off, Cigarette Ashes!!!

Love Mirwood stuff to bits anyway - so much so that I got a signwriter to make a sign for my house in the correct font - sad really!!!

Mr Soussan has never done much worthy of a pat on the back but he nearly makes amends by putting these instrumentals out.

Have you noticed on "The Same Old Thing" how in the quieter passages you can hear the vocal bleeding through in the background.

I am right in thinking there were 2 different cuts of "Don't Pretend" instrumental? One with added strings?

[Pete S]

Have you noticed on "The Same Old Thing" how in the quieter passages you can hear the vocal bleeding through in the background.

I am right in thinking there were 2 different cuts of "Don't Pretend" instrumental? One with added strings?

Yes, you can hear the same with the instrumental of Try A Little Harder.

They never released the first instrumental of Don't Pretend and subsequently it's really hard to get hold of. Russ must have done a few emidiscs because I bought one about 6 years ago from an old collection, not great quality but passable (and with a count in), this is the one without the violins picking out the tune (that one came out on Soul Fox). For some reason I actually gave that emidisc away a couple of years ago to someone who asked me for it. I must have been mad.

[Wiganer1]

Is it, the one with Footsee, Panic, Tainted Love etc? In that case I must have just dubbed the cd of it onto a tape...thought it was a different one

==

thats it mate

[Guest]

The Gallop

Brown Sugar (Watts 103.....)

[Pete S]

That piano reminds me of Booby Troupes Route 66 BTW One of the most 'atmospheric' tunes I heard at Station Rd. was Bubblegum Breakthrough Mike Post check the b side of AOTR toon!

Never heard Bobby Troup - anyone oblige?

[Epic]

Soul Improvisations - Van McCoy is a fantastic piece of music - brilliant on the album where you get parts 1 & 2 together.

[Wiganer1]

Soul Improvisations - Van McCoy is a fantastic piece of music - brilliant on the album where you get parts 1 & 2 together.

====

yes epic,,gr8 tune

[Alan Pollard]

I don't play records very often at home these days but I'm just going through a box of my old, old favourites and I just played "Rat Race" by The Righteous Brothers Band and I can honestly say it made every hair on my arms stand on end for a good 30 seconds, a kind of OH MY GOD THIS IS FANTASTIC! moment, took me right back to late 1974 when I first heard it at our youth club. That's the effect an instrumental can have on you!

Now where is my copy of Afternoon Of The Rhino...

Hi Pete,

Great thread, I have always loved instrumentals and my faves are:-

Bubblegum Breakthrough - Mike Post Coalition - Warner Brothers 7 Arts (just love the way this builds up).

Bella Delana - The Marketts - Warner Brothers (awesome laid back, feel good music).

Six O'Clock - The Total Eclipse - Imperial (I think, can't be bothered looking for it to check, oooh those strings are out of this world)

Geary Street - Bill Purcel - Dot (popular spin for me in Stockport in early 80's).

Earl Wright Orchestra - Thumb a ride - Capitol (The master of all instrumentals).

Don't pretend - Soul Fox Strings - Soul Fox (its a boot I know but I love it).

Astral Trip - Mystic Moods - Warner Brothers (I had quite a soft spot for this again beutiful production)

Regards

Alan

[Davetay]

Funny actually, I'm just transferring all of the Wigan tapes onto the computer, didn't realise I had so many from 75, but one thing just shocked me, Searling playing Joe Matthews - Ain't Nothing You Can Do - in 1975! It never went big til 77, in fact don't think I ever heard it til then. He's also playing some terrible 70's record by "The Steppers" any ideas Mark, he plays it twice in one set.

I,ve got a Mecca tape from Aug.74 with Joe Matthews on it.

[Ian Dewhirst]

Soul Improvisations - Van McCoy is a fantastic piece of music - brilliant on the album where you get parts 1 & 2 together.

This has turned into my favourite instrumental of all time (just pipping "California Montage" funnily enough). The full version is just draw-droppingly brilliant and Van McCoy's best production bar none IMO.

For those who want to hear it in it's full glory, I used the full album mix on The Blackpool Mecca volume of the Sony-BMG released "The Northern Soul Story" available in yer local stores now......

Ian D

[Ian Dewhirst]

I,ve got a Mecca tape from Aug.74 with Joe Matthews on it.

It was big for me @ Cleethorpes/Sams/The Central around '75 ish I believe........

Ian D

[macca]

what a wonderful thread, such knowledge, so many great sounds. I'm surprised that Donald Austin was played at the Casino as early as 74. I perceived it back then as being a bit on the 'funky' side. I heard via John Vincent at the fleet peterborough.